A Queen IS BORN

THERE’S always frenzied excitement when the arrival of a royal baby is imminent and 21 April 1926 was no different.

Even though it was the early hours of the morning and pouring with rain, a small crowd stood on the pavement outside 17 Bruton Street in Mayfair, London, desperately waiting for news.

Finally, at 2.40 am the new royal was delivered by Caesarean section – and a short while later the imposing front door swung open and the long-awaited announcement was made, causing the crowd to roar with delight.

Princess Elizabeth Alexandra Mary Windsor, had been born to the Duke and Duchess of York.

Britain’s longest-reigning monarch was born in a relatively ordinary house belonging to her maternal grandfather, Claude Bowes-Lyon, 14th Earl of Strathmore. This was because, as the child of King George V’s second son, Prince Albert and his wife, Elizabeth, the baby was never expected to ascend the throne.

Princess Elizabeth was officially third in line, but she seemed destined to